Canadian PM Trudeau “Jealous” of Immigrants who get to Choose Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that he is jealous of individuals and families around the world who make the decision to immigrate to Canada, emphasizing that people, like him, who are born Canadian take for granted the advantages of being Canadian.

Trudeau was speaking with CTV journalist Anne-Marie Mediwake in a broadcast that aired on the eve of Canada Day. Mediwake’s parents immigrated from Sri Lanka in the 1970’s after hearing then Prime Minster Pierre Elliot Trudeau, father of the current Prime Minister, speak in their country.

When told this, the current Prime Minister said:

“One of the great reminders to me, as proud as a I am of being Canadian, as proud as I am of Canada, is I didn’t get to choose this place. I was born here, and I can almost take it for granted. Anytime I meet people who got to make the deliberate choice, or whose parents chose Canada, I’m jealous. Because I think being able to choose it rather than being Canadian by default is an amazing statement of attachment to Canada . . . you chose this country, this is your country more than it is for others because we take it for granted, we default into this place. And I think understanding that power of building a country that is made of people who chose, or whose ancestors chose, to build a new life here is really, really exciting . . . We are celebrating diversity as a source of strength.”

Trudeau’s comments come at a time when leaders of other high-profile developed nations are choosing a narrower definition of nationhood. In the United States and the United Kingdom, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May, respectively, recently came out on top in election campaigns that focused on reducing immigration levels. On the other side of the globe, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull abolished the popular 457 visa, citing an “Australians first” approach to immigration. The government of New Zealand soon followed suit by implementing more restrictive policies in April.

These latest measures are built on a foundation whereby Canada welcomes economic migrants, refugees, and those seeking to reunite with family members in Canada in ever-increasing numbers.

Trudeau aided by the fact that the Canadian public largely supports an immigration policy that welcomes diverse people in large numbers. Political parties in Canada are largely supportive of such a policy, and the few attempts that have been made to stall or reverse Canada’s pro-immigration approach have failed. In the recent Conservative Party leadership contest, the one candidate who built her campaign around changing this policy fundamentally, Kellie Leitch, received a tiny sliver of the vote, as party members roundly rejected her program.

In the 150 years since Canada was established as a confederation, more than 17 million immigrants have arrived as landed immigrants. Many more have come as foreign workers or international students. Canada’s official policy of multiculturalism, its bilingual society, security, and economic prosperity are just a few of the reasons why international migrants look to Canada as their new home.

I am a Cameroonian who just rounded up a three years program for an award of a bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Buea in Cameroon. I wish to apply for an opportunity to work in Canada as well as continue studies. I wish to seek for a sponsor to travel and work in Canada and in turn cut all their expenses on my immigration aid.
Thanks

Mostafa Sidgi Hassan
I am an electronic and communication engineer graduated from cairo university “Egypt” , I am currently oriented in Saudi Arabia , and I am interested in living and working in Canada , I have a high experience in office equipment maintenance and supervision.
I’m also a Microsoft certified system engineer and administrator.

You will find an enormous difference between Saudi Arabia and Canada . Our laws are fair and our people of all races and gender are treated with a level of respect and compassion that is not seen in countries like Saudi Arabia. But you will also find our climate and geography much different , Canada is a vast nation , 2nd largest in the world with many different land scapes . So do some research and decide where then if possible visit that area first , I wish you luck in your endeavours and welcome

Congrats Canada for completing 150 years. PM Trudeau jealous statement is quite true and the way he welcome immgrants is very appreciable. Canada is the country where I would like to live to work and to die and to take birth to be Canadian by default like hon’ble PM.
Love you Csnada. I wish for everlasting peace harmony and economic development in beautiful Canada. God bless Canada and Canadian.

Jealous? Most of us immigrate with no family, friends, or contacts
Often with little or no financial resources
As well, for whatever reason, we left our “native” home behind.
It is a wonderful country but no one should be jealous of us except those that would like to immigrate and can not

Hello Anand , immigration is a federal responsibility so you need to contact “Immigration Canada ” they have an office located in Halifax Nova Scotia and there number can also be found online . Good luck and great choice in location , Canada is a vast nation 2nd largest in the world and our province of Nova Scotia is considered Canada’s ocean playground several vibrant city’s and many coastal villages

it is really exciting for me to see and read this respectful leader’s statement because he speaks what every human on earth needs I am a Somali refugee with two children lives in Nairobi Kenya in thirteen years in a condition every human can imagine and Canada is my real dream of life

Hello,dear sir My name is Peer Mohammad Iam from Afghanistan I have a lot of interested spend my remind life in Canada with my family please help with me and with my family we’re don’t have a good security our country please consider my suggestion.

He’s so right, a lot of immigrants are begging to be a permanent resident. While most Canadian that are born here take their citizenship for granted, living in this country changes a lot of peoples lives.